Ed Romans response to the lawsuit

[Dennisthe Menace]

First off, let's not get Ed Roman and his reputation confused with Fillmore and its reputation. Fillmore guitars are fine instruments, and I can say from playing one of Dana's guitars at Artie's place that it's up there with the best I've laid my hands on.

That said, note that the "63" sidejack has string-through tuners (as opposed to safety-posts) and double fret markers above the 12th fret, neither of which are features of a 1963 Mosrite last time I checked. Caveat emptor.

It's good to hear that Ed and his store handled GTSP's transaction properly.

I'll second that Mel.

[Veenture]

Thanks for posting GTSP...most interesting.

Allow me just to say that while I have never had any dealings with Ed Roman, there are plenty of opinions floating around about the guy (usually negative...) and they can always be biased of course. Also, there are always two sides to every story but what I get from GTSP's quote here is that this 'man from Vegas' thinks a lot of himself and it is convincingly revealing to me how immodest this guitar dealer is...and that may well be taken as an understatement...

I take it GTSP's quote is 100% correct so I can safely say that Ed Roman -the Mo' dealer- should at least be aware of the spelling of Semie's surname...

[Elnjay]

appreciate a good clean cut review of ones personal experience or even individual opinions as long as it doesn't get into a public flogging.

When the urge for a Mosrite bass was causing me to lose sleep, Ed Roman's shop was the only place that had one- a Ranger.

I had read Ed Roman's website before he was in Las Vegas even, and found him amusing.
I also was aware of the controversy about his shop, personality, style of selling, etc.

When I called, the Salesman knew quite a bit about the bass, gave me a good description of the components and build, and also mentioned that he thought the Fillmores were on par with the best builds. He wanted to sell, of course, but he was also very sincere in his descriptions.

Pricing- was high- It was premium, but then again- one had to consider actual price converted from yen, and then ensuing customs, freight, IF one were in Japan buying, etc.
Same with performance parts for my WRX for instance (Subaru).

I haggled, then paid, the bass arrived the next day as ordered. Absolutely wonderful.

I inquired about another Fillmore, the 55th Anniversary Silver Sparkle P-Bass clone by Mosrite/Fillmore.
What a cool instrument.

Ed Roman personally E-mailed me and offered what I think was a very equitable price for the bass, seeing as he was in process of moving from his Vegas digs at that time.

So I have nothing to complain about, certainly not the Ranger Bass! I love it.

Lawsuits will play out, let the courts decide. There are beautiful vintage Mosrites to be had or admired, and there is other fine product which represents the great legacy of Semie Mosely.

Last but NOT least-

Perhaps this Forum is one of the finest tributes of all to Mr. Mosely, and there ain't goinna be no lawsuits about THAT!

Cheers!

[socoto]

Not going to bash, just list my experience. I go to Las Vegas (from Indianapolis) each year at the beginning of May. Prior to Ed’s Las Vegas store opening (a couple years back) I called and talked with his assistant. My flight was going to leave the day before Ed’s grand opening. So I asked his assistant if there was any way I could see those Mosrite’s advertised on his website prior to the store opening. Additionally, I mentioned that I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time and stated that I was only looking…not looking to purchase at this time. The assistant was cool and said that it would be fine and he told me to stop by.

My dad and I got to Las Vegas and went to the store. I met the assistant and he showed me where the Mosrite’s were. Ed entered the store and started talking to me. I started talking shop…you know all about Mosrites; shape, colors, models, Semie, etc. He didn’t really want to hear it, he asked me if I was going to buy one and I told him no. at that, he told me and my dad to leave the store. I apologized to him and stated that I mentioned to his assistant that I wasn’t going to buy, but he didn’t really want to hear it.

Both my dad and I were shocked. Needless to say, I don’t see what I did wrong. I understand that people have bad days, so I optimistically believe that it was just a bad day for him.

To contrast, while in Las Vegas a different year, my dad and I road tripped it to Bakersfield to visit Artie…night and day difference. Artie is probably one of the coolest people I’ve met. In my opinion he does business the correct way. He told me to take my time and look, and ask any questions…very cool! He even gave me 2 Mosrite pins when I told him how far we traveled to get to his store.

[Elnjay]

I've heard stories about Ed Roman in his shop. Some of them sorta made sense (not in any way reference to the above posters experience)-

For example- Not letting people play the instruments, qualified by stating that unless the staff felt a guy was the real thing ready to roll, they did not want a bunch of lookie-loos noodling around on the instruments.

I can see that in a sense- I wouldn't have wished my Mosrite/Fillmore Ranger to have been manhandled by idjits at GC for instance before I took possession.

OTOH, having done my time in retail-land, you never know who's going to buy and who's just looking.

Ed Roman's response to the poster was ludicrous; IMO he would have killed any chance of a future sale with a move like that on me.

My dealing were over the phone, towards one particular instrument he had in stock, the SB Ranger bass, and once price was agreed, done.

No doubt Artie is da man when it comes to getting one of those awesome Fillmore Mosrites-
Wish he could have the Basses in stock, but that's not an easy thing to do.

If I ever were to get another one, it would be easier to wait; now that I've got one here to play!

[brutus]

Be warned Loretta, you'll be moving into a smaller trailer if you try and sue me !!!!!

Ed showing some real class here I'm sure Semie would have appreciated a comment like that

Vintage 63 Sidejack Ventures model in 98% condition, I even have a New Gospel.

I think we all agree this highly suspect

If anyone wants to buy a real Mosrite, I have them... So ask your wife if it's OK to buy one and then give me a call !!!

depends on your definition of "real"...always end with a slam to your customers

His own words say it all. I'm sad that Mosrite is held hostage buy this guy.
I hope I have not violated the guidelines for responses

[dubtrub]

His own words say it all. I'm sad that Mosrite is held hostage buy this guy.
I hope I have not violated the guidelines for responses

Not at all. Pointing out obsevations or realities in a mature proper manner is not in violation of the protocol of this forum. Getting down on the same level as the 'man' himself is what I'd prefer not to see on this forum. I would hope we are all above that mentality.

[mosriteer]

Ed Roman's site also says that the decals were mostly silkscreened in by dealers. As the owner of over several genuine Mosrites, I can safely say that nothing is further from the truth than this claim. On all Mosrites, the silk screen was applied and everything was clear coated - at the factory. I have known at least 3 local folks who worked for a large Mosrite retailer and authorized dealer for the entire upstate NY region - and they all laughed at this claim.

The 63 with non-slotted tuner posts, a 4-th screw on the pickguard, a shiny metal nut, the lack of a nice, rounded binding on the edge of the neck facing the slanted PU are all reasons that indicate that this one may not be 45+ years old. (Sure, there were little variations in each model, but there are way too many things that are off the norm on this one.) If the seller convinced Ed Roman that this is genuine, then there are two possibilities: (a) Mr. Roman cant tell the difference between the genuine stuff and the ersatz one, or, (b) he is engaged in deceptive advertising. I just hope that its not the latter.

-Kanad

[dorkrockrecords]

Since the guitar in question is in fact signed and dated on the back of the headstock (an attribute that pinpoints the guitar to 1984-1992 without even being able to read the year) and the seller went so far as to publish a close-up of said signature, utter ignorance and blatant deception are the only options.

[mosriteer]

True, but Semie DID sign a few earlier guitars for fans during the same time period.
-Kanad